Community of Fairbanks



       Community Profile


       Community Type: Home Rule City
       Current Population: 32,655
       Borough Name: Fairbanks North Star Borough
       Regional Native Corporation: Doyon, Limited
       REAA/School District: Fairbanks North Star Schools
       Latitude: 64� 50' N
       Longitude: 147� 43' W
       See Map of the region
       Land Area: 31 sq. mi.
       Water Area: . mi.

       Location 

              Fairbanks is located in the heart of Alaska's Interior, at the northern end of the famed
              Alaska Highway. By air, Fairbanks is 45 minutes from Anchorage and 3 hours from
              Seattle.

       History
 
              Koyukon Athabascans have lived in this area for thousands of years. The Chena steamboat
              landing brought many non-Natives to Fairbanks during the Pedro Dome gold rush of
              1902, and it became the supply center for the region. The city was named after Charles
              Warren Fairbanks, Vice-President under Theodore Roosevelt. The population of the area
              continued to increase after construction of the Alcan Highway and the Alaska oil pipeline.

       Culture
 
              Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska. The community is primarily non-Native,
              though diverse.

       Economy 

              As a regional center for Interior Alaska, Fairbanks offers a diverse economy, including
              city, borough, state and federal government services, transportation, communication,
              manufacturing, financial and regional medical services. Tourism and mining are also part
              of the economy. Approximately 325,000 visitors pass through Fairbanks each summer.
              The success of Fort Knox, operated by Fairbanks Gold Mining, has sparked aggressive
              exploration by a number of mining companies. 166 residents hold commercial fishing
              permits. 

       Transportation
 
              Fairbanks is at the confluence of the Richardson Hwy., George Parks Hwy., Steese
              Hwy., and Elliott Hwy., connecting the Interior to Anchorage, Canada and the lower 48
              states. Goods are transported by truck and air services. The Alaska Railroad also serves
              Fairbanks. Regularly-scheduled jet flights are available at the State-owned Fairbanks
              International Airport. A seaplane base is located on the Chena River. There are also several
              privately-owned airstrips and heliports in the vicinity.

       Climate
 
              Interior Alaska experiences seasonal temperature extremes. January temperatures range
              from -22 to -2;

                 July temperatures range from 50 to 72. Average annual precipitation is 11.3
              inches. Ice fog is common during the winter. Polar bears  seem to love it